PM directs giving Sharif access to hospital, doctor of his choice

ICMD, March 7, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Punjab government to give former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif access to any hospital or doctor of his choice for medical treatment, according to an update shared on Twitter by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday.

As per Chaudhry, the premier has directed the Punjab government to provide the former premier with the best facilities for treatment and called for the recommendations of a medical board that recently examined Sharif to be implemented.

Later, while briefing the media on cabinet decisions made in Islamabad this afternoon, Chaudhry said the direction “indicates that the PTI government has no personal enmity with any person”, Radio Pakistan reported.

The minister noted that corruption cases against Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari were filed during the tenures of previous governments and incumbent government has nothing to do with these. Nonetheless, “the government will not pervert the course of justice or obstruct the work of the National Accountability Bureau to benefit any influential personality,” he was quoted as saying by Radio Pakistan.

Separately, Chief Minister Punjab’s Spokesperson Dr Shahbaz Gill shared that he had met with the former prime minister on the directives of Prime Minister Khan and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. While addressing a press conference after the meeting, Gill said that he hoped God would give Nawaz – and everyone in Pakistan who was unwell – good health. He said that “politics is one thing, and a person’s health another”.

Two senior professors and doctors were also present during the meeting between Gill and Nawaz.